I’ve Read…

A good new girl to new town book.
Centers around Natalie who has just had a heck of a break up, and is making new friends in her new home town after moving to help support her grandmother.
Main characters are well developed but I feel t...

Here’s a novel thing: I like to pick names for my characters that fit their personalities. I know, big shocker—most authors do that. I used to go on babynames.com and put in what I wanted the name to mean, and it would spit out a whole bunch of names that meant a certain thing, then I would just select the one I liked best.

In the world of DROWNED, the people have been removed from our civilization for a long time. They do not read anymore, they don’t have books or any means of writing, so over the years, language has disintegrated. Much knowledge has been lost, and many of the names have been cannibalized and altered, much like a sentence in a game of telephone. So a lot of the names are not real names at all; just things I came up with because they evoke an image or make a sound that fits the character.

At one point in DROWNED, the main character, Coe, wonders if a person’s name controls who he or she will become. The princess Star, after all, is heavenly. Tiam, the strong, capable boy, is named after Tiamat, a Mesopotamian goddess who controls the chaos of the sea. The goddess Tiamat “gives birth to the world”, and in many ways, gives birth to Coe’s world. Coe’s name is short for Corvina. She’s named after a “smelly, slimy, bug-eyed fish,” which she thinks is fitting, since she is strange-looking and considered the lowest of the low. There is another story behind how she got her name, but that comes later.

The ruler of the land, King Wallow, is a descendent of a doomsday prepper named Agnes Willow, who owned the land they now reside on. In a world where language has been lost, the ruling family’s name changed over time, without their knowledge, and perhaps they don’t even realize now what “Wallow” means. But the royals do wallow; they’re the most self-indulgent people you’ll ever meet.

I had fun naming the secondary characters, since I wanted to pull them from things that have existed in the past, but had somehow morphed in meaning and importance over time. Melame is a mean, older guy who minds the tide pools people wash in. “Melame” is an amalgam of Mean and Lame, because that’s what he is. Burbur is a very busy and important castle worker, used to high-traffic, very hardy, like Berber carpet. Cordon, the chef, is named as such because I can only imagine his ancestor’s favorite dish was Chicken Cordon Bleu. Xilia is a crazy lady, named that because it sounds very much like “sillier”. And she is silly. It’s hard not to hear the name “Mutter” and not think of an angry guy walking around with his head down, mumbling to himself. I also threw in other, more normal names, like Ana and Finn, because I figured that not all ordinary names would fall into the void.

I’m not usually married to the names I choose. Sometimes, a character will change over time and demand to me to be called something else. In that case, I will usually make the change later on. But in this book, Coe was always Coe, and Tiam always Tiam, and I can’t imagine them being called anything else.

Coe is one of the few remaining teenagers on the island of Tides. Deformed and weak, she is constantly reminded that in a world where dry land dwindles at every high tide, she is not welcome. The only bright spot in her harsh and difficult life is the strong, capable Tiam—but love has long ago been forgotten by her society. The only priority is survival.

Until the day their King falls ill, leaving no male heir to take his place. Unrest grows, and for reasons Coe cannot comprehend, she is invited into the privileged circle of royal aides. She soon learns that the dying royal is keeping a secret that will change their world forever.

Is there an escape from the horrific nightmare that their island home has become? Coe must race to find the answers and save the people she cares about, before their world and everything they know is lost to the waters.

About Nichola Reilly

Nichola Reilly is Cyn Balog’s post-apocalyptic fantasy-writing alter-ego. The first book in her series, DROWNED, will be releasing from Harlequin TEEN sometime in 2014, followed by a sequel, BURIED, in 2015.

About Cyn Balog

Cyn Balog is a normal, everyday Jersey Girl who always believed magical things can happen to us when we least expect them. She is author of young adult paranormals FAIRY TALE (2009), SLEEPLESS(2010), STARSTRUCK (2011), TOUCHED (2012), and her most recent release: DEAD RIVER (2013).e. She lives outside Allentown, Pennsylvania with her husband and daughters.

She also writes under the pen name Nichola Reilly. Nichola Reilly is Cyn Balog’s post-apocalyptic fantasy-writing alter-ego. The first book in her series, DROWNED, will be releasing from Harlequin TEEN sometime in 2014, followed by a sequel, BURIED, in 2015.

Giveaway

Each tour stop is offering up a copy of DROWNED, and one winner will receive a fantastic Grand Prize Package including the following HarlequinTEEN titles: 2 copies of DROWNED as well as copies of RAIN, THE AFTERMATH, THE DARK WORLD and OCEANBORN. Please enter via the Rafflecopter form. Giveaway is open to US/Canada.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Karen Ann Hopkins’ second installment of the Temptation series, Belonging! Belonging picks up after the first book, Temptation. See below for an exciting excerpt and the chance to win a SIGNED copy of Belonging!

About Belonging

No one thought an ordinary girl like me would last two minutes living with the Amish, not even me. There are a lot more rules and a lot less freedom, and I miss my family and the life I once had. Worst of all, Noah and I aren’t even allowed to see each other. Not until I’ve proven myself.

If I can find a way to make it work, we’ll be NOAH & ROSE

together forever.

But not everybody believes this is where I belong.

Excerpt from Belonging

Rebecca was uncomfortable with the territory the pep talk had gone into and she took both my hands softly between hers. “I’m sure you’ll do fine. But, please, please be good.” There was almost a look of desperation on her face.

What was her angle? Was she worried if I got kicked out of the community that Noah would go with me—and what about the warning from Ruth about Martha? Could my initial instinct about the woman be so wrong? Martha had clearly been on my side during the laying down of the law by the bishop. I decided to file away Ruth’s words for safety. But, I wasn’t going to count Martha as an enemy until she proved to be one.

“Noah looked like he wanted something—what was his deal?” I asked him mom, a little worried about what she’d say.

“Oh, yes…well, he wants to have a few minutes alone with you to discuss this matter. Really it’s mine and Amos’ fault that we allowed him such free rein immediately after the accident; calling you on the telephone and behaving as if the two of you were already courting. Now though, things must be different.”

“Can I spend any time with him at all?” I hoped I didn’t sound as if I was whining, but the thought of being separated from him while I was learning to be Amish was almost too much to bear.

Before Rebecca could say a word, Ruth took over. “It’s not only up to Rebecca and Amos. Now that you’re under mine and James’ authority, you’ll be looking to us about the rules you must live under in this household, which are the Church’s Ordnung, but not solely.”

I slouched down in my seat. I knew a parental lockdown when I saw one coming. Only, I also knew that Ruth wouldn’t be as easy to manipulate as Dad was. I adjusted my voice to sound resigned, I needed both these women on my side.

“What are the rules?”

“After this evening you will not be allowed to spend time alone with Noah unless there is a chaperone present,” and for good measure, Ruth added, “and the two of you will not be acting like a couple either. That is exactly the kind of thing that will get Abram’s beard in a tangle.”

My optimistic personality chose to hear only the part about after tonight. “Do you mean I get to talk to Noah, tonight—in private?”

Rebecca answered, “Yes, but only tonight, until you’re officially a courting couple. Ruth and I understand how things have changed suddenly from what you were prepared for and we feel it is best to let you do your talking with Noah now. Hopefully, this will keep you from mischief later.” She held my eyes for a significant few seconds before pushing her chair out.

“I do believe Noah is waiting on the front porch for you.” Rebecca pointed towards the hallway. “We’ll be out back on the deck.”

I caught Ruth’s wink from behind her glasses as she walked by. One second of solitude and I was sprinting down the hallway.

I didn’t even have to touch the knob, for Noah had the door open just as I reached it. We stood a few feet apart, both breathing deeply, and both waiting.

Maybe it was the dress and cap I wore that suddenly made me feel like I really was an Amish girl. Or perhaps it was Noah’s eyes, wide with anticipation that raised the tingling waves of nervousness from my belly.

For the first time in a long while, I didn’t know what to do with Noah.

Connect with the Karen Ann Hopkins

A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of a strict Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.

HarlequinTEEN’s spring Reading into Romance

Spring is in the air and HarlequinTEEN wants you to fall in love! And they have just the books to make that happen!

In this epic tour, we’ll be featuring 9 authors and their amazing, toe-curlingly romantic books!

Today’s Blog Tour stop features Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins and a look at Amish love and marriage

Amish Love & Marriage

by Karen Ann Hopkins

Living within an Amish community in northern Kentucky for five years, I’ve witnessed many interesting things about their culture. Sometimes, I’m shocked at their strict beliefs and behavior, but usually I’m humbled and impressed with their culture.

The Amish are people who are always willing to come to the aid of their neighbors, whether Amish or not, and they hold their personal relationships in the highest esteem. These are admirable traits for anyone, but I’ve witnessed firsthand that the basis for their success in life is their religious faith and their solid and loving relationships with their spouses.

Granted, the Amish culture is a man’s society, and you’d think that would cause all kinds of problems with the women…but it doesn’t. Most of the Amish women I know are quite satisfied of the role they play within the marriage. They run the household and oftentimes are full and respected partners in the family business. They care for the children and participate in church activities. They get together regularly with other women within the community to quilt or clean house together. Amish women seem busy and content within their lives.

I think the contentment begins with the giving nature I’ve witnessed from most of the men toward their wives. Even though they may be the ‘boss,’ Amish men tend to continue to display acts of romance long after the wedding ceremony. Flowers, extravagant gifts and vacations are commonplace from the men of the community to their wives. They recognize and respect the hard work that their wives do and are ever thankful for their partner in life.

When troubles do arise within an Amish marriage, the community will jump in and help through counseling to repair the damage. Very rarely do the Amish divorce, which shows their ultimate dedication in the vows they spoke to each other.

Because the Amish live a life without the entertainment of television, radio, movies and internet, they seem to put more emphasis on romance and that’s one of the reasons they may have up to twelve children or more within a family. Their religion prevents them from using birth control, which obviously contributes to the large number of pregnancies, but since there are few other things to do in the evenings, the Amish are focused on the pleasures between a man and a wife. So much intimacy keeps Amish couples close. Having so many children would be a nightmare to most outsiders, but the Amish women appear to enjoy having large families and have grown accustomed to it.

The Amish don’t hold hands and would never be caught showing public displays of affection, but the simplicity of their lives lends to a quiet and hidden romance that lasts forever.

Summary

Your heart misleads you.

That’s what my friends and family say.

But I love Noah. And he loves me. We met and fell in love in the sleepy farming community of Meadowview, while we rode our horses together through the grassy fields and in those moments in each other’s arms. It should be ROSE & NOAH forever, easy. But it won’t be.

Because he’s Amish.

And I’m not.

Belonging the sequel to Temptation will be released April 30th by HarlequinTEEN – add it to your goodreads shelf!

Connect with Karen Ann Hopkins

A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of a strict Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.

I am still currently reading this and will have a review sometime next week!

Meet Liam Hollander

So I’m the new kid. It’s strange to go from homecoming king at one school to a nobody at the next. But it’ll be fine. It’s the price I have to endure to live at the ranch, and that’s an easy exchange in my opinion. Blaze now has some much needed space to roam and doesn’t have to share the cramped, old barn with Grandpa’s horses anymore, so that’s totally worth it. And my little brothers finally get a huge yard to run around in and play catch. Total win-win.

And I like what I see so far at East Valley High, too. Especially the girls. Especially Tessa O’Donnell. I don’t know her story, but I plan to find out. Unfortunately, I think it has something to do with Joel, the football quarterback. He’s always looking at her like there’s no other girl in the room. I’m familiar with that look. It’s probably identical to the one plastered on my face all the time, too.

I have to figure out a way to get in front of her—to get her to notice me. I think our Day in the Life project for journalism class might just be my ticket. The only problem is, I’m pretty sure after spending one day with Tessa, I won’t be satisfied with just that.

She’s not like the girls back at Superior High, though she’s every bit superior to them. She feels familiar, like there’s some strange connection between us that I can’t even begin to explain. I’m just hoping Joel McBrayer isn’t going to be the one to break it.

Summary (Goodreads)

Tessa can’t sleep.

But when your parents are dead and the government directs your path in life, sleep shouldn’t come easily. Lately, Tessa’s fitful nights are growing even more predictable, almost like déjà vu. And she’s beginning to think that something greater is at work—something her society has taken drastic measures to keep hidden.

Caught between self-discovery and government conformity, she’ll have to choose either the boy who can help her reveal this new truth or the one that can provide her with the security of familiarity.

Tessa’s faced with a weighty decision. And she’s going to need more than a good night’s sleep to make it.

Connect with Megan Squires

Megan Squires lives with her husband and two children just outside of Sacramento, California. A graduate from the University of California, Davis, Megan is now a full-time mother, wife, and dreamer – though her characters don’t often give her much opportunity to sleep.